Drowning on the Shenango
 

Two evenings ago, three people spilled their canoe near New Hamburg. Two of the passengers, women, made it to shore while the male person drowned.

While the news articles don't speak directly to the subject, it is implied that they were not wearing PFDs.

At that time, the water was high, but within the band of reason. Pymy Park is releasing bigger flows than normal to drop the lake to winter pool. This happens every year about now. At the direction of the Corps of Engineers, the releases were cranked down to facilitate the search (which has since been terminated).

It was stated that the male stood up to better see the shore (?). This action caused the spill when they then apparently hit something.

The point of all this is, wear a PFD and keep your butt in your seat. And, if you aren't reasonably skilled and strong, wait out high water for a better day.

I know we at the Shenango River Watchers don't have to preach this stuff to your members, but it is worth remembering and passing along the caution. On our organized floats, we've had a many as 175 boats in the river. While there were a number of canoe spills, no one has come close to drowning (to the best of our knowledge). The Shenango is not intrinsically a dangerous river. But, at high water, it does grow some hair...